Aspiranet Unlocks the Door to Lasting Family Connections for Foster Youths

Online, April 29, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Nearly 100 times a day, a child in California is placed in foster care according to the Children's Law Center of Los Angeles. Once there, he or she joins over 58,000 other children in the state who, for no fault of their own, have also been removed from their homes (kidsdata.org).

Throughout the month of May, Aspiranet, one of California's most innovative social services agencies, hopes to increase awareness about the huge need that exists for more foster parents in California.

"In 2010, we placed more than 700 children and teens with safe and loving foster families but we know that on any given day there are thousands more young people in California waiting for a foster family to call their own," said Vernon Brown, Aspiranet CEO.

Aspiranet's inventive approach requires that all foster children are thoughtfully placed with a family that best suits their individual needs. Once placement occurs, foster parents receive comprehensive compulsory training, educational programs, one-on-one counseling and ongoing 24/7 support and guidance.

"Our 16-year- old foster son came to us after having lived in seven to eight other foster homes," said Krista Pettersson, an Aspiranet foster parent. "He felt he was not worth keeping, that there was something wrong with him."

Since being welcomed in to the Pettersson's southern California home, their foster son has blossomed."His academic performance has improved; he has discovered multiple musical talents and has gained greater self-confidence," Pettersson said. Pettersson and her husband recently opened their hearts and home to two more foster children.

Aspiranet finds it more difficult to find foster homes for older children and teens despite the fact that 40% of all foster children are between the ages of 13 and 21 (The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families).

"Older children and teens need just as much love and guidance as younger children do," said Brown. "One of Aspiranet's fundamental goals is to provide a lasting connection for each and every foster child, regardless of their age."

To educate the public about fostering or adopting older youths, Aspiranet is hosting a series of outreach events in May throughout the state.

About Aspiranet:
Aspiranet, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity, supports foster children, siblings, families, and the community with 35 core programs offering specialized services through 44 satellite centers within California.

Founded more than 30 years ago as a six-bed group home for young boys in Moss Beach, Calif., Aspiranet is one of the most diverse nonprofit social service agencies in the state. With a statewide network of innovative services, Aspiranet has touched the lives of over 10,000 families and children since its founding.

Aspiranet's vision of bringing families together and helping foster children, siblings, and parents thrive is realized through six areas of expertise - Family Services, Foster Care, Adoption, Education, Afterschool programs, and Community Partnerships. For more information, please visit www.aspiranet.org.